the quicksand known as work visas

[july]

I went to japan last october, and since then, the idea of moving there someday has been on my mind. I've done a good amount of research, but those work visas are really confusing.

if you work as someing like a web developer, or network adminstrator over in japan, what kind of work visa do you need? I'm pretty sure it's the engineering one...but i just want ot be sure...

[Mandylion]

It seems the engineering one is the visa for you

check here if you haven't already http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/04.html

Of course the best plan is to contact the Japanese Embassy or consulate for your region of the US. They will be able to tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt. Found here -

http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/index.htm

[LynnieS]

Agreed re the Engineer work visa if you're a new hire from the U.S., for example, for the company's office in Japan.

If you're an existing employee on the technical track, though, you should be given an Intra-Company Transferee visa, I would think. This version is the one assigned to me by the embassy.

[july]

Cool, thanks for the help. I can't believe how vaguely defined those work visas are...

[TwistedMac]

I read this thing over at Japan today..

http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=comment&id=257

seems like a great thing for explaining the whle visa thing...